Miriam O'Callaghan: 'I have so many kids because of a Tiny Tears DOLL I got for Christmas'

Miriam O’Callaghan believes the reason she has so many children is down to a Christmas present she got as a child.

The mother-of-eight revealed she received a doll as a young girl – and her maternal instincts immediately kicked in.

“One Christmas I got a doll that I really liked. She was a Tiny Tears and she used to cry and had a nappy,” the 54-year-old said.

Toy Story: Miriam believes her large family is due to childhood present | RTE

“I loved that present and maybe that’s why I went on to have loads of babies myself.”

The RTE star recently admitted she will not return to host the New Year’s Eve show as she wants to spend more time with her husband and kids.

Meanwhile, the TV presenter also revealed that the death of broadcaster Brian O’Farrell was one of her lowest moments this year.

“We lost a brilliant broadcaster,” Miriam told the RTE Guide. “He was also the kindest, funniest and most descent of men.”